help to choose Digital media player

tissot

Looking for an advice on media player that can stream videos from my laptop as well as bbc iPlayer and other on-demand uk and may be usa based services. roku, chromecast, WD tv? something under £50. many thanks

forgotmyname

XBMC.. I have that on my media PC. Its FREE.

Bit puzzled on what you want to stream the media to though?

brewerdave

Presume he is talking about streaming media wirelessly to a TV via HDMI connection, not streaming to his laptop from external sources.

tissot

brewerdave wrote: »

Presume he is talking about streaming media wirelessly to a TV via HDMI connection, not streaming to his laptop from external sources.

That is right - from laptop to TV. just bought NOW TV box. I think with some tinkering it is possible to stream videos to Tv but i have not tried it yet.

forgotmyname

I just use a HDMI cable. Run XBMC on the PC/laptop.

brewerdave

forgotmyname wrote: »

I just use a HDMI cable. Run XBMC on the PC/laptop.

1. Depends on having HDMI out on laptop/tablet
2. Not as convenient unless you also have a remote keyboard for the laptop

forgotmyname

HDMI is not essential it would work with the VGA port also. Most TVs have one of those also.

I have 2 remotes. A media centre one and a small handheld one with trackpad and keyboard. Trailing a wired keyboard would suck a bit, yes.

I went the PC router rather than media player because sometimes you get a file that doesnt work on them. Also a PC seems to give you more options for the screen size and scaling.

brewerdave

I, too, run from a laptop currently using VGA/RCA connections to TV with a remote wireless keyboard, mainly for watching Sky Go-but I'm thinking of trialling an HDMI dongle as it would save having to leave the laptop permanently on with charger attached -my old laptop takes forever to boot if I shut it down. Only issue will be finding one which works with Sky Go!!:)

almillar

Don't get too excited about using VGA on a TV - it can often be rubbish. I've got a 1080p TV that will only go up to 1024x768 on the VGA connection, meaning a low res, or even distorted image depending on what you do with it. You have to delve into the manual to find out what VGA resolutions a TV will support.